George Hogg (adventurer)

George Aylwin Hogg (1915 – 22 July 1945)[1][2] was a British adventurer. He was a graduate of Oxford University in economics.[3] He is known as a hero in China for saving 60 orphaned boys[4] during the Second Sino-Japanese War, including leading them 700 miles (1,100 km)[3] through dangerous mountain passes, escaping the approaching Japanese secret police in the Shaanxi area.

Hogg started to assist the Gung Ho movement operated by New Zealand-born communist Rewi Alley in Shaanxi.[1] He helped Alley operate a lice-infested facility (without books, beds or food) for 60 orphaned boys.[3] He converted a nearby cottage into a dormitory.[3] With credit established in town, he was able to supply millet and vegetables to the children.[3]

The boys called him Ho Ke.[3] To get respect and control over the boys, Hogg participated in many activities with them, including singing, swimming, sports and hiking.[3] The children tended a vegetable garden for food and Hogg made a basketball court for recreation.[3]

Hogg then decided to relocate the boys to Shandan in Gansu Province 700 miles (1,100 km) away.[3] The first half (33) left in November 1944 and in January 1945, the remaining 27 boys followed.[3] They travelled heavily snow-covered mountain roads by foot.[3]

After a month of travel by foot, 450 miles (720 km), they arrived in Lanzhou.[3] Hogg hired six diesel trucks to complete the trip.[3]

Early March 1945, Hogg and his boys arrived in Shandan.[3] Alley rented some old temples, turned them into classrooms and workshops, and appointed Hogg as headmaster.[1] From the beginning the school was helped by New Zealand friends, who later formed the New Zealand China Friendship Society.[4]

In July 1945, Hogg stubbed his toe while playing basketball with the boys.[3] It became infected with tetanus and two boys went to Lanzhou by motorcycle, a 500 mile round trip to get medicine.[3] To comfort Hogg until he died, the boys sang nursery rhymes he had taught them.[3]

He died on 22 July after three days.[3] He was laid to rest outside town.[4] His headstone is engraved with lines from his favourite poem.

He never saw the end of the Sino-Japanese War with the surrender of Japan just one month after his death.

His life is chronicled in Ocean Devil: The Life and Legend of George Hogg by James MacManus. His own account is George Aylwin Hogg, I See a New China, which includes his participation in the Chinese Industrial Cooperatives project in rural industrialization.

Hogg is also a popular topic of study for students at his old school, St Georges in Harpenden.[citation needed]